INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The NCAA announced today, Sunday November 17, that the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) automatic qualifier and co-champion, the Central College Dutch (9-1, 7-1 A-R-C) will host Wisconsin-Oshkosh out of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC). The other co-champion, the Wartburg Knights (9-1, 7-1 A-R-C), received an at-large bid to this year’s field of 32. The road to Shenandoah, Texas begins Saturday, November 23.
Wisconsin-Oshkosh @ Central - Pella, Iowa
The Central Dutch enter the 2019 NCAA Division III Football Tournament after going 7-1 in conference play this season, and 9-1 overall. The Dutch are coming off a 31-21 win at Coe this past Saturday to clinch a share of the A-R-C title and claiming the conference’s automatic qualifying bid after the win over Wartburg on November 9. The Dutch picked up two non-conference wins over Northwestern-St. Paul (42-12) and Depauw (45-19).
No. 24-ranked Central will host the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh out of the WIAC in the first round on Saturday, November 23 from Schipper Stadium in Pella, Iowa. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.
A program rich in tradition in football, Central claimed the school’s 31st conference crown Saturday afternoon in Cedar Rapids. The Dutch’s conference championship this season was the first since since 2009. It also marks the 21st time in program history that Central will be in the Division III tournament.
UW-Oshkosh clinched its spot in the Division III Championship with a 27-20 home win over No.3 UW-Whitewater in the regular season finale Saturday (Nov. 16). The win gave UWO a share of the WIAC regular season crown and the league's automatic bid. The Titan's are making their fifth appearance in the NCAA Division III playoffs.
The winner will face the winner of No. 4-ranked Wheaton and (RV) Martin Luther in the second round, Saturday, November 30.
Wartburg @ Hope - Holland, Mich.
The Wartburg Knights received one of the five at-large bids to this year’s tournament after sharing the conference crown with Central. The Knights went 9-1 this season and 7-1 in conference play, with their only loss coming against the Dutch. 2019 marked the 17th time Wartburg has hoisted the conference championship trophy. Wartburg had non-conference wins over Greenville (60-21) and Monmouth (38-9).
No. 19-ranked Wartburg will travel to Holland, Michigan to square off with (RV) Hope College, the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) automatic qualifier. The Flying Dutchman enter the tournament with a 9-1 record and had a perfect 7-0 record in conference play. This is Hope's fifth all-time postseason appearance and first since 2006. The Flying Dutchmen are 0-3 on the road and 0-2 at home.
Winning a share of the conference title this season makes it three straight seasons that the Knights have laid claim to the trophy, and the third straight season making it to the 2019 NCAA Division III Football Tournament. This is the 13th trip to the playoffs for Wartburg.
The winner will face the winner of No. 3-ranked Wisconsin-Whitewater and Monmouth in the second round, Saturday, November 30.
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